Having a healthy body makes it possible to break down most of the food that we eat and turn it into glucose, which is the sugar sent to our bloodstream unless diabetes gets in the way and interrupts this process. The chronic condition known as diabetes causes the human body to be put in a position where it is unable to produce enough insulin or properly turn food into energy that the body is able to use.
In order to reduce your risk of life-threatening complications, you can use these ten ways to lower the chances of diabetes becoming a problem in your life.
1.) Lower Your Carb Intake
Being able to manage your overall carb intake while sticking to carbs that have a high concentration of fiber is a better way to reduce the chances of diabetes than putting a limit on highly processed carbs. Instead of eating pasta that isn’t whole grain, white bread, and drinking soda, it would be a healthier choice to eat whole fruit, non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli and mushrooms, whole fruit, and oatmeal because you can prevent high upticks in your blood sugar level. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat more fish with lean proteins and healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil.
2.) Consider Berberine
Berberine is a nutritional supplement that is taken from plants that have been known to lower levels of glucose in people that are struggling with diabetes. Helping the human body do a better job at responding to insulin is one of the berberine benefits that help people fight diabetes.
3.) Recognize that Diabetes is Serious
Instead of taking diabetes for granted because of a lack of knowledge or an assumption that it won’t have a negative effect on your body just because you aren’t considered overweight is a bad approach to maintaining good health. If you feel ill-equipped to grasp how serious diabetes can be, your primary care provider can provide you with that support in order to adjust your eating habits and your physical routines.
Stay on top of your blood sugar levels with the advice of your doctor, and only take medications that have been approved by your doctor as well.
4.) Pay Attention to your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure can put your blood vessels in jeopardy, and so can diabetes. High cholesterol is also a concern because it can lead to strokes and heart attacks when it is coupled with diabetes. Consistently eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and salt and fat-reduced, exercise regularly, and only drink a minimal amount of alcohol in order to control high blood pressure and cholesterol and to keep diabetes at bay.
5.) Avoid Excessive Alcohol
As stated before, it is important to only drink alcohol in moderation. But what does moderation generally look like? Typically, if you are a woman, you should stick to one drink a day, and men shouldn’t go beyond two drinks per day. Excessive is a diabetic issue because it can cause high or low blood sugar.
6.) Deal with Stress
Don’t let stress get in the way of prioritizing your health. Use relaxation methods and remain well-rested to the best of your ability to keep a positive attitude.
7.) Physicals and Eye Exams
Schedule somewhere between two to four diabetes check-ups each year, as well as at least one physical and one eye exam on an annual basis. During the process of getting a physical, your doctor should be inquiring about your physical activities and your nutrition in order to be on the lookout for diabetes issues and indications of heart disease, nerve damage, kidney dysfunction, and problems with your feet. Eye care specialists make inspections for indications of cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal damage.
8.) Deal with Dental Hygiene
Infections of the gums can happen if you are suffering from diabetes. To prevent these problems from arising, be sure to brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss your teeth every day and get dental exams at least twice a year. You should contact your dentist right away if your gums are bleeding and look swollen.
9.) Don’t Smoke
If you are a smoker, the short answer is to stop as soon as possible. If you aren’t a smoker, don’t even start this unhealthy habit, to begin with. Smoking makes type 2 diabetes much more of a possibility, and there are numerous diabetes complications that can come from smoking, such as kidney disease, heart disease, eye disease, nerve damage, strokes, lowered blood flow in the legs and feet, bad control of your blood sugar, and even premature death.
10.) Daily Aspirin
People with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as being a smoker or having high blood pressure, may need to take a low dose of aspirin each day to reduce. But before you make this choice, it is important that you first consult with your doctor.